Bonnabel released Craig Lingle as head football coach on Monday, Bonnabel Principal John Kulakowski said.

Kulakowski informed Lingle that he was not being retained following a 3-7 season during a Monday meeting at the Kenner school.

Lingle, 46, compiled a 8-22 record in three seasons as head coach at his alma mater. The Bruins went 4-6 in Lingle's first season in 2008, 1-9 in 2009 and posted a 3-14 district mark.

"Coach Lingle is a good coach and a great person,'' Kulakowski said. "We just feel that the football program as a whole needs a new direction and new leadership. We will start the search process for a replacement immediately.''

Lingle has served as a coach at Bonnabel for his entire coaching career, starting in 1987, after playing defensive back for the Bruins for three seasons from 1979-81 prior to his 1982 graduation. Lingle has coached at Bonnabel for 24 years.

"It is what it is, so you move on,'' Lingle said. "(Kulakowski) wants to go in another direction, so that's fine. I enjoyed (coaching at Bonnabel). I had a great run there, 24 years. I have a lot of good memories, a lot of good friends. So it was definitely was all good.''

Kulakowski said he did invite Lingle to remain as Bonnabel's athletic director, but could not guarantee him a teaching position in Physical Education. Lingle said he wants to remain in coaching and will explore other opportunities.

Kulakowski said advertisement for the vacancy begins Wednesday and that he hopes to have a new coach in place by the start of the new semester in January.

Kulakowski said he will direct a five-member interview that includes another Bonnabel administrator and three other former coaches, players and/or alumnae.